Escondido tries to rid itself of undocumented immigrants (again)

[audtatious]

Immigration sweeps, driver's license checkpoints, city codes and proposed policies add up to an intentionally hostile environment.

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer July 13, 2008

Escondido city officials refuse to give up.

Two years ago, the city passed an ordinance to punish landlords for renting to illegal immigrants. But it rescinded the rental restriction after a legal challenge was filed and bills began to mount.

Now Escondido is trying a new approach to what it calls the "public nuisances" of illegal immigration, citing residents for code violations such as garage conversions, graffiti and junk cars.

The city is also debating a new ordinance that would restrict overnight street parking without a permit. In addition, it is drafting a policy that would prohibit drivers from picking up day laborers along some streets.

"We learned from the rental ordinance," Councilman Sam Abed said. "We changed our focus to quality of life issues."

Like many city leaders frustrated with the federal government, Escondido officials said they were taking immigration enforcement into their own hands. They said they were fighting the perception that Escondido, a city in affluent northern San Diego County with a burgeoning Latino population, has become a destination for illegal immigrants.

Councilman Ed Gallo said he regularly receives complaints from Escondido residents about illegal immigrants crowding schools, hospitals and neighborhoods.

"If you are not here legally, you don't belong here," Gallo said. "We're talking about image and appearance. . . . We are trying to change the image of Escondido."

The city's police department is also playing a role.

Police Chief Jim Maher said his department conducted two "criminal alien" sweeps this year. Officers identified illegal immigrants with criminal records who had been deported but then returned. In two separate sweeps, Escondido police arrested 31 illegal immigrants and turned them over to federal authorities for possible deportation.

"Our police department cannot secure the border," Maher told a small crowd at a town hall meeting. "But we can do everything possible to remove the criminal aliens from this community."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lauren Mack said the police department sweeps were a "unique enforcement approach" because the officers acted largely on their own.

"Their assistance is greatly appreciated," she said, commending the department for verifying in advance that the targets were deportable.

The police department's most controversial move, however, was establishing checkpoints to find unlicensed drivers. Last year, the department set up 18 license checkpoints, resulting in 293 impounded cars, 14 arrests and 296 citations. Maher said those checkpoints helped officers find at least 290 unlicensed drivers and helped reduce the city's number of hit-and-run crashes.

"Some folks say they are controversial because they target a specific segment of the population," he said. "That is absolutely not true. Our checkpoints are for one reason and one reason only: traffic safety."

Escondido officers ask about immigration status only if the drivers do not have licenses. Illegal immigrants are not eligible to obtain driver's licenses in California. In the last six months of 2007, officers identified six illegal immigrants and referred them to federal authorities.

The multi-pronged campaign was aided by a resolution passed by the City Council last year to "address the public nuisances of illegal immigration."

The following sentence appeared in the original version, but was removed before the resolution passed: "Illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, contributes to overcrowded classrooms and failing schools, subjects our hospitals to fiscal hardship and legal residents to substandard quality of care, and destroys our neighborhoods and diminishes our overall quality of life."

Escondido is one of dozens of cities around the country that have employed local ordinances in an attempt to "purge their populations of illegal immigrants," said Wayne Cornelius, who directs the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies at UC San Diego.

Between May 2006 and October 2007, 131 cities introduced anti-illegal immigration ordinances, including several that sought to prohibit renting to illegal immigrants. Fewer than half were passed. Many were struck down by the courts.

Many Escondido residents have praised the council and the police for taking a stand on illegal immigration.

Tisha Bennett is among the more vocal supporters. Two years ago, she said, the daughter of a friend was hit and killed by an unlicensed drunk driver who had been deported and sneaked back into the country.

"It's about the law," she said. "All we want is people to obey the law."

Bennett formed a group called Citizens of Escondido for Road Safety and collected signatures in support of the driver's license checkpoints. She also backs the proposed parking ordinance.

"The whole issue is quality of life," she said. "It's not legal versus illegal. It's the overburdening of our system."

Kathleen Crusing, president of the Escondido Republican Women Federated, said the city cannot adequately plan for the number of illegal immigrants arriving every year. "If you have a dinner party and you plan for 12, but 24 show up, you've got a problem," she said.

The city's policies have also attracted criticism from some residents who said the city is blurring distinctions between illegal immigrants and Latinos here legally.

"It's not about immigration," said resident Bill Flores, spokesman for a community organization called El Grupo. "It is about brown people. . . . They are looking for a way to reduce the number of brown people."

Flores, a retired assistant sheriff in San Diego County, said he believed city leaders were reacting to a dramatic demographic shift.

More than 62,000 Latinos lived in Escondido in 2006, making up 44% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That marks a significant jump since 1990, when roughly 25,000 Latinos lived in the city and were 23% of the population. The non-Latino white population, meanwhile, dropped between 1990 and 2000 by nearly 11%.

The elementary school district's demographics have also shifted. Latinos made up 48% of the student body in the 1997-98 school year and 65% in 2007-08, according to the California Department of Education.

Cornelius, of UC San Diego, said Escondido is a hotbed of anti-immigration activity in part because its population is largely conservative and in part because it has been a destination for immigrants -- both legal and undocumented -- looking for work.

The city is trying to make illegal immigrants' lives so uncomfortable that they will go away, he said.

"It's a pipe dream for nativists, because immigrants living in Escondido have invested too much getting there and starting a new life in the U.S. to be scared out of town by a bunch of new code enforcement practices," he said.

Immigrants say the city's hostility toward them makes it difficult to live in Escondido. The proposed parking ordinance, for example, is meant to discourage multiple families from sharing a single home, Councilman Gallo said.

Lucina Carachure, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, lives in a neighborhood littered with trash and full of boarded-up apartment buildings. On her husband's monthly income of $1,800, Carachure said, the family of five cannot afford to live alone.

So they share a two-bedroom apartment with another couple and their baby. Together, they pay $1,000 in rent.

Tomas Moreno, who has lived in Escondido illegally for 20 years, said he listens to Spanish-language radio stations to find out whether and where any license checkpoints have been set up.

He drives to his construction job and said he can't risk being turned over to immigration authorities or having his car impounded.

"They don't want cars in the street, they don't want a lot of people in the houses," said Moreno. "They don't want us here. That's the truth."

Nevertheless, Moreno said he had no plans to leave Escondido. He and his wife live in a quiet neighborhood with their four children, two U.S.-born and two undocumented.

"We have been here since we came," he said. "Even though we have problems, it's our city."

[rn79870]

Around here, we refer to that city as Escondildo. For good reasons. It's the armpit of San Diego County.

[OriginalWheelman]

I look at illegals as an invasion. They should be treated no different than enemy soldiers trying to cross our border ( ) , but that's not PC.

[rn79870]

The irony of the situation is that the vast majority of those illegals are productive members of society.

As a side note. I followed both McCain's and Obama's stop in San Diego this past few days. Both spoke to NCLR, the national hispanic activist organization.

Obama was probably a little better received, yet both did a good job of addressing the issues. Obama made points with his desire to help the 12 million illegals stay here legally, although, not putting them ahead of those who are on the list legally. McCain was addressing economic issues, which NCLR had listed as one of the major issues facing the hispanic community. All in all, I'd call it a tie for both candidates.

[audtatious]

I agree, both are weak on _illegal_ immigration

As far as the illegals being "productive members of society", sure they are if you want to say so. I call someone who works for a living but sneaks in my house to take Advil and eat some of my food a thief. Then again, that's just me.

[OriginalWheelman]

The irony of the situation is that the vast majority of those illegals are productive members of society.

It doesn't matter how productive they are. They can't be productive if they don't sneak in. Look at the character of these people, they knowingly broke the law on their very first trip in here, what is to stop them from violating more once they are here?

[rn79870]

Actually, I live in an area that is heavily Hispanic (SoCal). I know many that have been here for years, and never broke a law. There is a problem with a few, but there are a few blacks that break laws too, as well as white, and Asians.

If it wasn't for the Hispanics, you'd never again be able to afford corn, or strawberries, or other agricultural products. They undoubtably take many of the jobs that other americans are too good to do.

I'm against illegal immigration because it presents a security problem for our country. I'm not against the Hispanics who are simply trying to get a better life for themselves and their family.

[audtatious]

They broke our laws getting here. I also wonder what other laws these "law abiding illegals" have broken in order to live in the US, have housing, have jobs/car insurance, etc. They are also tipping the scales in a VERY LARGE manner to having a majority of hispanics in the US instead of a relatively diverse population. Both are bad for the country.

[OriginalWheelman]

Neither am I. There are a lot of farms around here, and a lot of migrant workers. They get green cards, live here for 6 months and go home to their families. That's productive, and they do it legally. A lot of the local kids are right along side them in the fields. There is no excuse for doing it illegally when so many channels exist to do it legally.

[WDRacing]

I'm against illegal immigration for a few reasons. A few are basic, they pay NO taxes, abuse the health care system and the wages they make DO NOT STAY in the US. They are funneling that money back to Mexico.

All 3 of those things are bad for the economy and effect everyone equally. If the cost of removing someone that is in this country illegally means that companies are forced to pay minimum wage to legal citizens and it effects there profit margin then so be it.

So I don't come across as a hater, I AM for educating these people and helping them become citizens. They just need to pay taxes like everyone else does.

WD

[rn79870]

That's partially true Brian, except for the tax part. They do pay many taxes, sales tax, etc. They also, as a group, try very hard to stay off the radar. In that regard, they are not bad neighbors.

[WDRacing]

Sales tax is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money that we lose economically if they were to pay federal and state income tax. That's money being taken from my kids in my eyes.

Yes "some" of them are good neighbors but "some" are also gangbangers and drug dealers. Not all and not the majority...but there are ALOT in some area's.

[1unar3clipse]

It doesn't matter how productive they are. They can't be productive if they don't sneak in. Look at the character of these people, they knowingly broke the law on their very first trip in here, what is to stop them from violating more once they are here?

Because you know us Mexicans, once we start breaking laws we can't stop

[OriginalWheelman]

Because you know us Mexicans, once we start breaking laws we can't stop

WTF is that supposed to mean? I was commenting on how people who have already broken the law are likely to do it again. Mexican had nothing to do with it.

[C-Kwik]

I'm against illegal immigration for a few reasons. A few are basic, they pay NO taxes, abuse the health care system and the wages they make DO NOT STAY in the US. They are funneling that money back to Mexico.

All 3 of those things are bad for the economy and effect everyone equally. If the cost of removing someone that is in this country illegally means that companies are forced to pay minimum wage to legal citizens and it effects there profit margin then so be it.

So I don't come across as a hater, I AM for educating these people and helping them become citizens. They just need to pay taxes like everyone else does.

WD

That's a huge catch 22 Brian. They can't pay income taxes because they can't get legal work. Not to mention they wouldn't make as much as a legal employee doing the same job. And those who have SSNs, sometimes not their own, will have deductions taken from their checks. They generally won't be getting them back directly though.

Furthermore, employers that pay under the table might be offsetting it somewhat with the additional taxes they may have to pay. Unless they have a means of hiding these salaries under some expense they claim, then it would have to show up as additional income. Thus, the employer would pay the taxes.

They broke our laws getting here. I also wonder what other laws these "law abiding illegals" have broken in order to live in the US, have housing, have jobs/car insurance, etc. They are also tipping the scales in a VERY LARGE manner to having a majority of hispanics in the US instead of a relatively diverse population. Both are bad for the country.

Sure, breaking laws is breaking laws. But consider the alternative they may be facing. Perhaps starvation. Plenty of US citizens would be just as bad if not worse to feed their family. Desparation tends to supercede morals.

Consider that most of the laws broken by illegals are due to the fact that they are not allowed the same rights that legal residents and citizens have here. obviously, if they cross the border illegally, they broke a law. They can't necessarily get a job legally, so they break a law. They can't get a license to drive, so again, they break the law. They can't get insurance without a license, so they break the law. These are all things that would otherwise be available to them, but its not an option otherwise. Sure, there are those who break laws outside of being unable to try and live a reasonable life here due to their immigration status, but that isn't as common as you think. At least not compared to the average citizen/resident.

Further, I actually have a friend who is here illegally. She was brought across the border as a child. She contributes more to the US than most girls her age (23). She doesn't pay taxes as she doesn't currently have a job, but certainly did when she did have one. Her only crimes are those related to driving an automobile without a license because she can't get one. She's actually stopped driving after her second offense despite struggling to get to class and back by bus everyday where she is studying to be an Electrical Engineer with some kind of biomedical emphasis. Ironically, she considers herself a Republican and is quite vocal about her political views. I know citizens that have much less determination and conviction.

And before you might judge her parents for crossing the border, consider one thing. She likely would never had the opportunity to get where she is now had she stayed in Mexico. THIS is a big reason for any immigrant to want to be here...legal or not. Its the same reason my parents came here.

It's not as black and white an issue as you may believe.

[WDRacing]

WTF is that supposed to mean? I was commenting on how people who have already broken the law are likely to do it again. Mexican had nothing to do with it.

That is actually statisticly correct...a one time offender is very likely to become a repeat offender and those are the ones that get caught.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/c...ivism

Of the 272,111 persons released from prisons in 15 States in 1994, an estimated 67.5% were rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within 3 years, 46.9% were reconvicted, and 25.4% resentenced to prison for a new crime. The 272,111 offenders discharged in 1994 accounted for nearly 4,877,000 arrest charges over their recorded careers. Within 3 years of release, 2.5% of released rapists were rearrested for another rape, and 1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for a new homicide. Sex offenders were less likely than non-sex offenders to be rearrested for any offense –– 43 percent of sex offenders versus 68 percent of non-sex offenders. Sex offenders were about four times more likely than non-sex offenders to be arrested for another sex crime after their discharge from prison –– 5.3 percent of sex offenders versus 1.3 percent of non-sex offenders.

[96Qowner]

And now after living here as a good citizen for all those years, proving and bettering herself, she's shown that she is exactly the sort of immigrant we want.

So, how does rounding her up and busing her back to Mexico do her or Mexico or the USA any good?

[WDRacing]

That's a huge catch 22 Brian. They can't pay income taxes because they can't get legal work. Not to mention they wouldn't make as much as a legal employee doing the same job. And those who have SSNs, sometimes not their own, will have deductions taken from their checks. They generally won't be getting them back directly though.

Furthermore, employers that pay under the table might be offsetting it somewhat with the additional taxes they may have to pay. Unless they have a means of hiding these salaries under some expense they claim, then it would have to show up as additional income. Thus, the employer would pay the taxes.

It's not at all Chano. I'm not FOR illegal immigration. So they need to be taken back to where ever until they can become a legal citizen at which time they will pay taxes like we all do.

But they need to leave, that isn't open for debate. They are breaking the law and putting undue strain on our society in more then one way in an increasing amount every day.

Like I said, I'm all for helping the ones that choose to help themselves and do things legally. Otherwise they are criminals and fugatives from the law. Thats just fact man...no real way to argue it.

[rn79870]

The same argument could be used in stating that someone who uses marijuana is more likely to go on to using harder controlled substances simply because he's already walked on the wrong side of the drug laws. You'd never buy that argument, yet you assume that a person who enters this country illegally is more likely to break a second law because he already has violated his 1st. law. The logic isn't there in either case.

It's not at all Chano. I'm not FOR illegal immigration. So they need to be taken back to where ever until they can become a legal citizen at which time they will pay taxes like we all do.

No, the illegals who are leading a legal life here need some form of legal amnesty progam, just like Obama is suggesting. The lady Chano mentioned is such a person.

[audtatious]

Sure, breaking laws is breaking laws. But consider the alternative they may be facing. Perhaps starvation. Plenty of US citizens would be just as bad if not worse to feed their family. Desparation tends to supercede morals.

What about those who are poor US citizens who are breaking into homes stealing copper or stealing cars or stealing cat converters, would you or "Joe Citizen" give them a break considering what the persons alternative is? No, they would want them in jail. Sure, that is not a true apples to oranges comparisson but these people could also stand up and fight to fix the corruption and issues in their own country instead of using us to bail them out and make us foot the burden.

[AZhitman]

The same argument could be used in stating that someone who uses marijuana is more likely to go on to using harder controlled substances simply because he's already walked on the wrong side of the drug laws.

And you'd be correct. Criminology 101.

Sorry Bob. The term "gateway drug" comes to mind. Not wantnig to nitpick, just pointing out a flawed analogy.

[WDRacing]

The same argument could be used in stating that someone who uses marijuana is more likely to go on to using harder controlled substances simply because he's already walked on the wrong side of the drug laws. You'd never buy that argument, yet you assume that a person who enters this country illegally is more likely to break a second law because he already has violated his 1st. law. The logic isn't there in either case.

No, the illegals who are leading a legal life here need some form of legal amnesty progam, just like Obama is suggesting. The lady Chano mentioned is such a person.

You misunderstand entirely what I was saying. I was only offering proof about the crime stats. Not saying that because they broke the law to get here that they're indeed serious criminals that will rape, pillage and steal. But they are in fact criminals.

Life isn't fair...but the fact that we have illegals in this country in such magnitude has personally effected me and my family on more then one occasion. Numerous times have I had to wait to be seen do to a ER full of illegals. My Aunt was having breathing issues and actually went home because she had waited 9 hrs...a van full of illegals was in an accident.

Would I refuse them health care? Of course not... But that doesn't remove the effect they have on others that DO pay taxes and are paying health ins.

I'm all for a plan that will assist the illegal immigrant...all for it. But that will have to include a full federal background check, DNA and finger printing. Blood tests for AIDS and other infectious disease etc. Then we educate them on how to speak basic English at our cost. Let them qualify for Gov Subsidized housing...whatever.

Come up with a program and I'm down to support it. But if you don't apply for the program you get immediately deported.

Disagree?

[rn79870]

Don't you think that "breaking" into someones home is much more serious than any of the offenses Chano described?

[C-Kwik]

http://www.cis.org/articles/2001/crime/toc.html

This article adds more data about the relationship between crime and immigration.

[AZhitman]

If it wasn't for the Hispanics, you'd never again be able to afford corn, or strawberries, or other agricultural products. They undoubtably take many of the jobs that other americans are too good to do.

Also not founded. Corn pricing is most predominantly affected by the enviro-whackos pushing Ethanol at all costs... the rest? Simple transportation costs. Harvesting costs actually represent a smaller percentage of rising food prices than you think.

And the whole "they do the jobs that Americans don't *want* to do is unfounded as well, and has been debunked aplenty. I certainly don't fault anyone for thinking that, because at first blush it definitely appears to be the case.

[C-Kwik]

It's not at all Chano. I'm not FOR illegal immigration. So they need to be taken back to where ever until they can become a legal citizen at which time they will pay taxes like we all do.

But they need to leave, that isn't open for debate. They are breaking the law and putting undue strain on our society in more then one way in an increasing amount every day.

Like I said, I'm all for helping the ones that choose to help themselves and do things legally. Otherwise they are criminals and fugatives from the law. Thats just fact man...no real way to argue it.

If it was as easy as you imply, they would probably do it. But the plain and simple fact is it is far easier for many to cross illegaly than to go through the legal process.

Think of it this way Brian. What lengths would you go to to put food on the table for your family? If it came down to it, you'ld probably break a few laws too if you had no other option. Hell, you've probably broken a few laws that had nothing to do with survival...

[Encryptshun]

How to police the border:

[rn79870]

Come up with a program and I'm down to support it. But if you don't apply for the program you get immediately deported.

Disagree?

Maybe you should look at Obama's immigration plan then. Actually, the two are not all that far apart. I've done a little homework for you.

***Guest-Worker Program...Obama supports a guest-worker program with a database of workers, arguing it will improve wages and conditions for all workers.

McCain cosponsored the failed Senate bill that proposed a guest-worker program with a registry and a path to legalization for illegal immigrants.

***Legalization/Amnesty...Obama supports giving illegal immigrants a path to legal residency, similar to Clinton’s position.

As a principal author of the failed immigration bill, which would have given illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, McCain hasstruggled to convince conservatives that his plan is not amnesty.

***Enforcement and Security...Obama voted for comprehensive immigration reform and has stressed that legalizing workers will boost U.S. wages.

McCain, a key player in the immigration reform fight, has moved from pushing the cause of legalization to emphasizing the need for border security first.

***Border Fences...Obama voted for the fence but has since joined Clinton in de-emphasizing his support, which is unpopular in border towns and among Hispanic voters

McCain voted for the fence and has encouraged agreements to allow the government to enter private property to survey land.

[audtatious]

Don't you think that "breaking" into someones home is much more serious than any of the offenses Chano described?

The US is my home. The border is the walls and door to my home. Or are you alluding that it's OK for people to ignore soverign nations borders?

[rn79870]

Also not founded. Corn pricing is most predominantly affected by the enviro-whackos pushing Ethanol at all costs... the rest? Simple transportation costs. Harvesting costs actually represent a smaller percentage of rising food prices than you think.

And the whole "they do the jobs that Americans don't *want* to do is unfounded as well, and has been debunked aplenty. I certainly don't fault anyone for thinking that, because at first blush it definitely appears to be the case.

Holy cow Greg, that's just plain wrong. Starting with Cesar Chavez and continuing. The Hispanic representation in the agricultural workforce is very, very strong. In fact, I'd guess over 90%. I see Hispanics in the strawberry fields around here almost exclusively.

And I wasn't referring to the price of corn, but the cost of harvesting it. When you're in CA drive through the central valley and take a look at who's working in the fields and picking the fruits. It's almost exclusively Hispanic.